PICTURES: Boats of Brough Bay day – Opening of a new heritage area and unveiling the boat Seamew
A new heritage area at Brough harbour has been opened with an information panel, seating and wildflower area to display the local boat Seamew.
The vessel was built in 1966 in Wick for Brough crofter/fisherman Sinclair Coghill at a cost of £85. Sinclair used Seamew to fish commercially for lobsters, crabs and salmon from Brough harbour. The salmon were then transported to Billingsgate market for sale.
After retirement, Sinclair fished for the family pot until 1998 using one of the last commercial boats to sail from Brough. It was also one of the last square-stern wooden clinker built boats to sail from the harbour. All the current boats are fibreglass and are used for recreation and fishing. The Brough Bay Association project was funded by the Stroupster Wind Farm Fund and the idea for the heritage area came from association member Mick O'Donnell who then designed and managed the project.
The information panel tells some of the history of the boats of Brough Bay beginning with the Stroma yawl bought by Annie Ryrie in 1921 at a cost of £17/10 to "provide employment for her two sons and keep them at home". The Stroma yawl was the boat of choice over a century ago.
The seating is dedicated to Margaret Munro who donated the harbour to the Brough Bay Association in 1993, and the Scottish wildflower patch "creates a calm and relaxing area", says Mr O'Donnell
Lord Thurso opened the proceedings by cutting a ribbon for the heritage area, then the boat and the information panel were unveiled by members of the Coghill family – Clair, Alison, Rona and Danny. "It was a process which they found very emotional as they remembered Sinclair in the boat," said Mr O'Donnell. Clare and Danny also gave their memories of Sinclair and Seamew.
Pentland Brass Band entertained the gathering with sea shanties and other sea related tunes. Local musicians George Pain. David Broughton, Tom Bennett, Nancy Foggo with singer Izzie Curry continued the theme and provided song sheets for all the participants to join in. "That gave it the feel of a real community event," said Mr O'Donnell.
Freshly cooked beef burgers, smoked salmon, fresh baking and strawberries in many forms were there for all the participants.
A fancy hats competition, judged by Lady Thurso was won by Jen Ironside who was then presented with a bottle of Wolfburn whisky by Lord Thurso. "There were also games, a raffle and a quiz – all of which had lots of amazing prizes including wildlife tours, smoked salmon, a meal for two and many more from our sponsors," said Mr O'Donnell.
Printmaker Joanne B Kaar donated three of her prints created on a 200-year-old printer. These were auctioned by Lord Thurso, the proceeds going to BBA for the upkeep of the harbour.
During the day George Pain launched his boat Merlin II, a similar styled boat to the Seamew but in fibreglass, and rowed some of the visitors around the bay as Sinclair Coghill would have done in the 1960s
BBA chairman Phil Boardman said: "It had been an awesome day with so many local residents and friends coming along to enjoy the day and support the Association in their work to maintain and improve Brough Harbour. Some Association members worked very hard for many months to create the heritage area and restore the boat Seamew – we greatly appreciate their dedication to the job and thank them for their work.”
1 / 8
2 / 8
3 / 8
4 / 8
5 / 8
6 / 8
7 / 8
8 / 8The event was sponsored by the Dounreay Communities Fund and supported by local businesses Wolfburn Distillery, Northern Sands Hotel, Dunnet Bay Distillery, Midgie Bights Brough, artist Joanne B Kaar, Barrock Smoke House, John O'Groats Ferries, John O'Groats Brewery and Castle of Mey trustees. The Coop Thurso and Tesco Thurso also provided refreshment items.
"All their donations contributed to the wonderful atmosphere of the day," added Mr O'Donnell.